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Infrared Asphalt Recycler: How to Choose the Right One for Your Business

Posted on by tejas

With any equipment purchase, you should first consider your needs and specifically how you will use the equipment, and then explore the different options to decide which units will help you complete your projects most efficiently. If you plan to purchase an infrared asphalt recycler, it is important to understand the benefits of each model in order to select the one that will work best for your particular projects. You also will want to choose wisely in order to avoid spending money on options and features that you don’t need.

KM International’s infrared units are popular among industry professionals because of their versatility, easy-to-use controls, and key safety features. We offer four main sizes of infrared asphalt recyclers ranging from as small as 16 square feet all the way up to 48 square feet.

Following are some of the basics about each one. Review the user’s manual or speak with one of our sales associates for more specific details.

LB 2-16

  • 4’ x 4’ heating area (16 square feet total)
  • Two independently controlled heating zones each measuring 2’ x 4’

The LB 2-16 is KM’s smallest infrared unit, but it features KM’s heat cycling technology as well as automatic pilot ignition found in the larger infrared units.

Preferred Uses of the LB 2-16: Low or high spots in new pavement, oil spots in parking lots, confined repairs such as walking trails or golf course trails, and small potholes

KM 2-18X

  • 3.5’ x 6.5’ heating area (22.75 square foot heating area)
  • Two independently controlled heating zones

The KM 2-18X is one of KM International’s most popular infrared models. This unit is equipped with two individually heated zones and mounted on four independent swivel casters for easy maneuverability. The KM 2-18X is popular among municipal organizations because it can be mounted on KM’s hotbox trailer systems.

Preferred uses of the KM 2-18X: Fixing cold seams in new pavement, repairs around storm drains, thermoplastic applications, small- to medium-sized general pavement repairs

KM 4-40

  • 5’ x 8’ heating area (40 square feet total)
  • Four independently controlled heating zones

The KM 4-40 was the first infrared model manufactured by KM International in 1983. Over the years, numerous technological and operational upgrades have continued to make the KM 4-40 one of the industry’s most widely used infrared asphalt recyclers.

Preferred uses of the KM 4-40: Because of its size, the KM 4-40 can handle any asphalt repair job it comes up against. With four independently controlled heating zones, the KM 4-40 is ideal for most jobs.

KM 4-48

  • 6’ x 8’ heating area (48 square feet total)
  • KM’s largest infrared asphalt recycler

The KM 4-48 is KM International’s largest infrared machine. The only difference between the KM 4-40 and KM 4-48 is the additional 1 foot on the heating area.

Preferred Uses of the KM 4-48: Like the KM 4-40, the KM 4-48 is large enough to tackle any asphalt repair job you and your company will see. The KM 4-48 was originally designed to accommodate larger thermoplastic template applications.